Sidelink DRX Reporting for Coordinated UE and Network Sleep Cycles

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an efficient method for user equipment (UE) assistance information report for sidelink discontinuous reception (DRX) in wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of 6G communication systems operating in terahertz bands, to address challenges related to signal transmission distance and coverage.

Innovation Solution

A method is provided for generating and transmitting a first indicator requesting a report of sidelink DRX configurations, receiving the report, and configuring a network DRX configuration based on the UE's report, enabling efficient sidelink communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If DRX configurations are optimized for sidelink communication, then spectral efficiency and network performance are improved, but coordination complexity between SL DRX and Uu DRX increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE reports its SL DRX configuration to the network entity. The network entity receives this feedback and uses it to determine appropriate Uu DRX configurations that coordinate with the SL DRX, thereby improving spectral efficiency while managing coordination complexity through structured information exchange

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The network entity acts as an intermediary that receives SL DRX configuration information from the UE and translates it into coordinated Uu DRX configurations. This intermediary role simplifies the coordination process by centralizing the decision-making logic in the network entity rather than requiring direct UE-side coordination between multiple DRX mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If DRX configurations are coordinated to avoid overlap, then power saving is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower savingVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential SL DRX configuration information that is necessary for coordination purposes and reports it to the network entity. By taking out only the relevant parameters needed for DRX coordination rather than complete configuration details, the signaling overhead is reduced while still enabling effective power saving through coordinated DRX operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by reporting only specific SL DRX configuration parameters that are necessary for coordination rather than complete configuration information. This partial reporting approach reduces signaling overhead while providing sufficient information for the network entity to determine appropriate Uu DRX configurations that achieve power saving goals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4154657B1Method and apparatus for UE assistance information report for sidelink DRX in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4154657B1 patent drawingFigure 1
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AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a 5G communication system or a 6G communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4G communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). A method of base station (BS) in a wireless communication system is provided. The method comprises generating a first indicator requesting a report of a set of sidelink (SL) discontinuous reception (DRX) configurations for SL communications among user equipments (UEs); transmitting a downlink signal including the first indicator; receiving an uplink signal including the report of the set of the SL DRX configurations based on the first indicator indicating that the report of the set of the SL DRX configurations is requested; and configuring, based on the report of the set of the SL DRX configurations, a network DRX configuration for a Uu interface between a UE and a network entity including the BS.